Desert Seas

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30Mar2012

Films Can Make A Difference - Jungles Gremlins of Java

By Laura Coates, Assistant Producer

When
we set out to make a film about slow lorises, the big question was ‘Why on
earth is this cuddly-looking primate armed with a lethal, poisonous bite? (Very
few mammals are venomous.) But even before we left for Indonesia we knew that
lorises were getting hammered by illegal pet traders, and that this was going
to be an important part of the story. The reality, when I saw the undercover
footage we shot in the street markets, was truly shocking. What makes it
worthwhile, though, is seeing the amazing, positive impact that our film is now
having…

Internet
Sites Closed DownPublic
reaction among UK viewers was immediate. As the film went out on January 25th,
hundreds began tweeting, with many people demanding action to stop the trade in
slow lorises. Following the broadcast, literally thousands logged on to
the infamous YouTube clip, ‘Tickling Slow Loris’, to post negative
comments and ask for the site to be taken down. (This, and similar videos
thought to be encouraging the trade in slow lorises, have had over 12 million
hits; and until now they’ve enjoyed overwhelmingly positive reactions.) Within
days of broadcast, the number of people petitioning for this clip to be taken
off the internet grew by 150%, and I’m happy to say that because of this
pressure the original clip has now been removed by its owners. Several other similar YouTube
clips have also gone.

While
some ‘duplicate’ clips remain, Vimeo at least has now also agreed to
remove all offending videos. This can only help to reduce the number of people
wanting to own an endangered loris as a pet.

Massive
boost for Loris CampaignMeanwhile,
International Animal Rescue (whose loris recue centre features in the film) has
had a massive response to its campaign ‘Saving the Slow Loris’. IAR Chief Exec Alan Knight OBE says: “Jungle Gremlins of Java is a great
opportunity to raise awareness of the plight of the slow loris which is one of the
most endangered primates in the world. I
hope it will discourage people from owning them as pets, and encourage them to
support our work to save them. The documentary
shows the terrible suffering caused by the illegal trade in wildlife in
Indonesia, and the scenes in the animal market should be enough to deter anyone
from supporting it in any way.”

Cuddly Toy LaunchedThe
shampooed, cake-munching slow loris, Cepat, who we filmed being rescued by IAR
staff, has become the poster boy for IAR’s campaign – and a bit of a
supstar! He may have had his teeth
cruelly cut out by traders, but he ha now been immortalized as a cuddly toy –
with all proceeds going towards the care of his fellow ‘rehabs’. You can buy a Cepat lookalike here

Awareness
raised at Government levelSince
Jungle Gremlins of Java went out, our presenter (and now Professor!)
Anna Nekaris has been tirelessly campaigning to stop the illegal trade in
lorises. Her ‘Little Fireface Project’ has seen her touring the UK to give awareness-raising talks, lobby government
officials, and gather support. Using the undercover footage we obtained in
Jakarta’s animal markets, she has been able to show that the openly conducted
street trade is affecting not just lorises, but also many other rare and
beautiful animals.

Anna has successfully secured high-profile
support from some of the biggest names in wildlife conservation. Virginia McKenna OBE (Born Free
Foundation Founder and Trustee, and friend of Icon Films) has been moved to
write a personal letter to the Indonesian Embassy, urging the Government in
Jakarta to stop the illegal street trade in slow lorises.

Anna
recently met the Indonesian ambassador
who, having watched the film, is keen to get it translated into Indonesian so
that it can be used as an educational tool. Additionally, we have been
told that law enforcement workshops are also now being planned, to help police clamp
down on the animal markets.

Slow
Lorises go globalThough
it hasn’t yet broadcast on Animal Planet it seems that the influence of Jungle
Gremlins has already spread to America, where the well-respected journal Scientific American has picked up
the YouTube issue.

Pet
traders bustedMore
recently, and perhaps most significantly, Anna has been informed that several
pet dealers have been arrested in Thailand. We all wait now in the hope
that these and other measures will continue to spread through the rest of South
East Asia.

As
a member of the production team I can say that it’s meant a great deal to all
of us that our film has had such a rapid and beneficial impact. I hope
that in some small way it improves the Slow Loris’s chances of survival in the
wild.

The
Series Editor, Steve Greenwood, at BBC Natural World agrees: ‘‘I’m very proud
to be involved with Jungle Gremlinsof Java. Many years ago I
worked as a biologist in the jungles of Indonesia and the thought of
losing one of the most iconic and unusual primates of that rainforest due to
the pet trade is unthinkable. It’s great that Natural World has been able to
help make a difference.”